Even though I were not of the Claudian family, nor descended from patrician blood, but an ordinary individual of the Roman citizens, who merely felt that I was descended from free-born parents, and that I lived in a free state, could I be silent on this matter: that Lucius Sextius and Caius Licinius, perpetual tribunes, forsooth, have assumed such a stock of arrogance during the nine years in which they have reigned, as to refuse to allow you the free exercise of your suffrage either at the elections or in enacting laws.

On a certain condition, one of them says, ye shall re-elect us tribunes for the tenth time.

What else is it, but saying, what others sue for, we disdain so thoroughly, that without some consideration we will not accept it?
But in the name of goodness, what is that consideration, for which we may always have you tribunes of the commons?
that ye admit collectively all our measures, whether they please or displease, are profitable or unprofitable.

I beg you, Tarquinii, tribunes of the commons, suppose that I, an individual citizen, should call out in reply from the middle of the assembly, With your good leave be it permitted us to select out of these measures those which we deem to be beneficial to us; to reject the others.

It will not be permitted, he says.